EVP-ABD-enhanced MRI to evaluate diffuse liver disease in a rat model

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of using manganese-based MR imaging contrast agent EVP-ABD to detect diffuse liver disease in an established rat hepatitis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatitis was induced by administration of CCl(4) in corn oil vehicle to rats intraperitoneally. MR images were acquired on a 3T scanner using a volume coil approximately 36 hours after the administration of CCl(4). EVP-ABD was administered via a tail vein at a dose of 10 mumol/kg. Multi-TI turboflash images were acquired to evaluate liver R1 (=1/T1) values before and after the EVP-ABD administration. Eighteen rats received various doses of CCl(4) and completed pre- and postcontrast MRI scans and liver histologic evaluation. RESULTS: The liver R1 after the EVP-ABD administration and the change of the liver R1 before and after the administration, DeltaR1, show significant correlations with the CCl(4) dose. A significant correlation was also found between the histologic scores and the CCl(4) doses despite known variability in the relationship of CCl(4) dose to histology. A significant correlation was found between the histologic score and DeltaR1. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that EVP-ABD-enhanced MRI can detect diffuse liver disease generated by CCl(4) based on the significant correlation between proton R1 in liver following EVP-ABD and the CCl(4) doses as well as the histologic scores.